Structural, vibrational, and thermochemical properties of the monazite-type solid solution La_1–xPr_xPO₄

The monazite-type solid solution La_1−xPr_xPO₄ was synthesized by solid-state reaction and extensively investigated using electron microprobe and thermogravimetric analyses, differential scanning and high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Lattice parameters and Ln-O bond lengths show a decrease with increasing Pr content. A small excess volume is observed for the solid solution. IR spectra of the solid solution members present no detectable differences, while a blue shift of the PO₄-related modes is seen in the Raman data. This shift can be attributed to the lanthanide contraction. Within errors, calorimetry data show no systematic deviation from an ideal behavior, though one might interpret the data as an indication of a slightly asymmetric mixture. All data indicate that deviations from ideality of the solid solution – if present – are very small.